Two-time Weissel Medal winner James Smart will play his first game of the season when the Tigers host Temora at Anzac Park on Saturday.

Smart hasn't played since injuring his shoulder in the opening minutes of Riverina Country Championships campaign in February.

Their other dual Weissel Medal winner James Luff is also back at hooker after suffering an ankle injury in round two.

Troy Barby and Jack Elphick also return to take on the Dragons.

Smart admitted his return has been a long time coming.

"There were plenty of times I thought I wouldn't (get back) especially in the couple of months after the injury," Smart said.

"It's probably been the hardest one to come back from in terms of the slow recovery and just generally getting back into training, getting strength back into the shoulder and mobility."

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However Smart's comeback has seen a big reshuffle of the Tigers back line.

He returns at halfback for the first time since midway through the 2018 season.

It means Derek Hay shifts to five-eighth, Ryan McQueen moves to fullback with Dane O'Hehir slotting into the centres.

Tyron Gorman is sidelined with an ankle complaint.

Co-coach Luke Berkrey believes Smart's direction in the middle is something the club has really missed.

"I think we've probably lacked some real control at times and our kicking game probably hasn't been up to scratch at times either," Berkrey said.

"That's probably the best two traits of his game is his organising and his kicking so we'll be relying on him heavily to help Derek out in the area."

Smart was at fullback for the club's premierships successes in 2018 and 2020 however played at halfback in his five seasons as their captain-coach before then, and it was where he was named Group Nine's best player twice.

The 31-year-old doesn't have a preference but can see the advantages of being back in the seven jumper after a long lay off.

"At the stage that I'm at at the moment, to play fullback takes a lot of work physically," Smart said.

"Since I hurt the shoulder and with work commitments it hasn't really allowed me to put that work in.

"The team has changed a little bit this year with a few more younger players so I think the boys are more comfortable for me to slip back into the halves and try to give the younger players a bit of direction.

"It's something I'm more than happy to do."

Gundagai have games against Temora, Kangaroos and top three sides Southcity and Young in the lead into finals.

Berkrey believes it's the ideal time to have their long injury list start to get back on the field.

"It's a very good time to be getting them back - four weeks out from finals," he said.

"It really gives them boys a bit of a springboard into a finals series but we're not looking too far ahead.

"We're just getting them back in and trying to get the team playing well."